hear carefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hear carefully' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to suggest that the person should pay close attention to what is being said or written. For example, "Please hear carefully—the instructions for the assignment are very important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This, the researchers suggest, shows that when people have to consider the information they hear carefully, as they might when making decisions about a business deal, it can impair their driving ability significantly.In this section Balls and brains Going back in time Just shut up, will you Watching and waiting ReprintsBut does chatting to passengers have the same detrimental effect on driving?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I hear "Listen carefully to the following six options, for our menu has changed," I hang up.

The New York Times

Be ready to say that you have a hard time hearing and listen carefully and talk clearly in return.

WikiHow

It would be good to hear this carefully structured work more often.

The New York Times - Arts

If there is no car or building nearby, you should dig a trench on soft soil (be careful where you are digging; if you are digging on public land, you could get into serious trouble) hide inside the trench, even cover it up if you need to, and if you don't hear anything, carefully get out.

WikiHow

You have to listen carefully to hear Mr. Ginsberg's double puns.

The New York Times

Only the far-off sound of waves, and I had to listen carefully to hear even them.

The New Yorker

Not all the men were wonderful; Mr. Cromer now has only a little tap left to show, and I think you had to listen carefully to hear in his dancing a brief echo of the mastery of yesteryear.

The New York Times - Arts

She spoke about parents worried about providing for their children and about the particular responsibilities and worries of women; she said that she sometimes thought at night that one could hear "a great collective sigh," and that "if you listen carefully, you'll hear the women sighing a little more than the men".

The New Yorker

They can only properly be heard "if you listen carefully".

The New Yorker

I know that when I hear stories from other women or men who have suffered similar loss that I listen carefully and can hear what they are going through, and I know, too, that they recognise I understand that loss.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions, use "hear carefully" to ensure the listener understands the importance of each step. For instance, "Hear carefully as I explain the safety procedures."

Common error

Avoid using "hear carefully" when you actually mean "listen actively". "Hearing" is passive, while "listening" implies engagement and understanding. Use "listen carefully" to emphasize active comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hear carefully" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the manner in which one should hear something. It stresses the importance of paying close attention to the auditory information received. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hear carefully" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the importance of paying close attention while listening. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not as common as "listen carefully", it serves to urge focused attention on auditory input, particularly when accuracy is paramount. It appears primarily in neutral contexts such as news media and general web content. Alternatives like "listen attentively" or "pay close attention" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listen attentively

Replaces 'hear' with 'listen' and 'carefully' with 'attentively' maintaining the emphasis on focused listening.

pay close attention

Shifts the focus to 'paying attention' rather than just hearing, stressing the importance of active engagement.

listen with focus

Emphasizes the focused aspect of listening, making it clear that concentration is required.

be all ears

An idiomatic expression suggesting complete attentiveness and readiness to listen.

give your undivided attention

Highlights the importance of giving full focus to what is being said.

mind what you hear

Suggests being mindful and cautious about the information received.

lend an ear

An idiomatic way of saying to listen attentively and sympathetically.

take heed

Emphasizes the importance of being aware and paying attention to potential warnings or advice.

mark my words

Used to emphasize the importance of what the speaker is about to say, urging the listener to remember it.

consider this carefully

Highlights the need for thoughtful consideration in addition to listening.

FAQs

How can I use "hear carefully" in a sentence?

You can use "hear carefully" to emphasize the importance of paying close attention to what is being said. For example, "Please "hear carefully" as I explain the new policy changes."

What's the difference between "hear carefully" and "listen carefully"?

"Hear carefully" emphasizes the act of perceiving sound with focused attention, whereas "listen carefully" implies a deeper level of engagement and comprehension. "Listen carefully" is generally preferred for its active connotation.

Which is more common, "hear carefully" or "listen carefully"?

"Listen carefully" is significantly more common than "hear carefully" because it implies active engagement and understanding, making it a more direct and effective way to urge attentiveness.

What can I say instead of "hear carefully" to emphasize understanding?

Instead of "hear carefully", you can use phrases like "listen attentively", "pay close attention", or "be all ears" to highlight the importance of not just hearing the words, but also understanding their meaning.